September 17
A Generous
Heart
"Anyone who gives a lot will succeed. Anyone who renews others will be renewed."
Proverbs 11:25 (NIrV)
Ursula stood at the edge of her garage, looking over the pile of things she was about to throw away. Clothes with the tags still on, barely used kitchen appliances, a designer handbag she had grown tired of—stuff she had once wanted but no longer cared about. She sighed and tossed a few items into the trash bin.
She had always lived comfortably. If she wanted something, she bought it. If she didn’t want it anymore, she got rid of it. It was simple. But something had been nagging at her lately, a quiet voice in the back of her mind telling her that she could do more with what she had.
At lunch that afternoon, her friend Maria shared a story about a local women’s shelter. “They’re always in need of clothes and household items,” Maria said. “Some of these women leave everything behind to escape bad situations. Even the smallest thing can help them start over.”
Ursula stirred her coffee, thinking about the bags of clothes she had just tossed. She felt a twinge of guilt but quickly brushed it off. "I usually donate money," she said. "I figure they know what they need better than I do."
Maria nodded. “That’s great, but sometimes, a warm coat or a set of dishes means more than money. It makes someone feel seen.”
That night, Ursula stood in front of her closet. She pulled out a coat she hadn’t worn in years—still beautiful, still warm. She imagined a woman in need wrapping it around her shoulders on a cold morning.
For the first time, she hesitated before throwing something away. Instead of tossing it in the bin, she folded it carefully and placed it in a box.
The next day, she drove to the shelter. The woman at the front desk smiled as Ursula handed over the bags. “Thank you,” she said warmly. “These will make a big difference.”
Walking back to her car, Ursula felt something she hadn’t expected—peace. Giving wasn’t about getting rid of things; it was about blessing others. And in doing so, her own heart felt renewed.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You have blessed me with more than I need, and I don’t want to waste the opportunities You give me to bless others.
Help me to have a generous heart, to see beyond my own wants, and to give in ways that truly make a difference.
Thank You for showing me that when I refresh others, You refresh me in return.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
